Game Report: Watertown Luther Prep 66, Columbus 57

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEYS TO THE GAME</strong><br>There is a reason why Watertown Luther Prep has won 20 of 23 games. The Phoenix are good. Really good. Coach Steve Vasold's club proved that Friday in a WIAA Division 3 regional semifinal before a raucous crowd in the Luther Prep gym. Despite not breaking into the state rankings for most of the season, Luther Prep controlled the lead for virtually the entire game and posted a convincing 66-57 victory over a Columbus squad that came into the game battle tested as a member of the Capitol North Conference. The Nottling brothers, Watertown residents who have been stellar all winter for Luther Prep, led the way with bouncy junior [player_tooltip player_id='2906124' first='Levi' last='Nottling'] netting 21 points and steady senior [player_tooltip player_id='2631448' first='Gabe' last='Nottling'] adding 11. The Phoenix led 27-21 at intermission, extended its lead to 10 points midway through the second half and then withstood a couple of Columbus rallies to secure the win and a spot in the regional finals today at Lakeside Lutheran. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2499892' first='Jonny' last='Cotter'] converted an old-school three-point play with 7:11 left to cut Luther Prep's lead to 44-42, but the Phoenix answered on the other end with senior Micah Kieselhorst completing his own three-point play. From that point, Columbus was chasing and although the Cardinals were never out of it, they also were unable to get over the hump. Cotter and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561910' first='Peyton' last='Powers'] each had 17 points to lead Columbus. Luther Prep's superior depth was a big factor in the contest as the Phoenix reserves outscored the Cardinal backups, 15-3. <br><br><strong>GAME MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2906124"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ac8ce7d0d1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Long, boundy, left-handed wing who soars to the basket, makes perimeter shots and snares rebounds with his quick jumping ability to long arms, Nottling was the best player of the floor in Luther Prep's win over Columbus. The growing junior finished with 21 points and scored from deep, on impressive takes to the basket, in transition and from the foul line. Nottling made eight-of-nine free throws and drew five fouls from different Columbus defenders. He is averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the Phoenix, which finished second in the Midwest Classic Conference behind champion Lake Country Lutheran. With additional strength and improved ball skills, look for Nottling to emerge as one of of the better class of 2027 prospects in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EMERGING PLAYERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2631448"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ac8ce7d0dde"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Levi might be a bit more athletic than his older brother, but [player_tooltip player_id='2631448' first='Gabe' last='Nottling'] is Mr. steady on the court. His demeanor, ability to score inside and outside, and poise with the ball in his hands with defenders swarming around him were instrumental in Luther Prep's win over Columbus. Nottling finished with 11 points and a couple of three-point baskets, but even more impressive was his ability to defend, rebound and provide strong senior leadership to a program that has achieved impressive success over the years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2969003"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ac8ce7d0e5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meyer fouled out with several minutes left in the contest and Luther Prep clinging to a seven-point lead. For those who watched the game closely, it was a huge loss for the Phoenix. And had nothing to do with Meyer lighting up the scoreboard. Why was Meyer's departure so big? His quickness with the ball, his impressive ball handling and his ability to find open teammates while weaving through the defense are all big assets for Luther Prep. Meyer finished with just five points, but his on-ball pressure defense, and stability at the lead guard spot are enormous for the Phoenix. With Meyer off the floor, Columbus ratcheted up its defense, but Luther Prep made enough foul shots and get enough stops on defense to secure the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561910"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ac8ce7d0eca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two-sport standout for Columbus, Powers plans to play football and basketball at UW-Oshkosh next season. He finished his prep career in style Friday as he scored 17 points and made big shot after big shot in the second half to keep the Cardinals within striking distance of Luther Prep. Powers was particularly effective getting to the basket and driving the lane and then pulling up for mid-range jump shots. He has good elevation while going up with his jumper, which makes it difficult on opponents. Powers had 17 points in the game while also playing strong man-to-man defense for the Cardinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE BIG PICTURE</strong><br><br>Columbus had its season end with an 18-8 record and a third-place finish in the Capitol North Conference at 6-4. The Cardinals started five seniors against Luther Prep and went seven deep with senior [player_tooltip player_id='3019522' first='Blake' last='Carthew'] and freshman Sam Powers earning time off the bench. Although Columbus loses plenty to graduation, coach Jeff Downing's program figures to remain highly competitive behind a very strong freshmen class that includes Liam Riese and [player_tooltip player_id='2781179' first='Max' last='Pederson'] in addition to Sam Powers. <br><br>Luther Prep moves on to the regional finals to face a familiar foe and long-time rival in Lakeside Lutheran. The two squads met up in mid January with Lakeside Lutheran posting a 65-56 victory behind 21 points from senior [player_tooltip player_id='2025184' first='Wes' last='Rahn']. The winner of Saturday's regional finals advances to the sectional semifinals where it will play the winner of Lake Mills and East Troy. <br><br><strong>BOXSCORE</strong><br><strong>Columbus (21-36 = 57)</strong><br>Mobry 6, P. Powers 17, Hacht 8, Corrado 6, Cotter 17, S. Powers 3, Carthew 0. Three-point field goals: Hacht 2, P. Powers 1, Carrado 1, S. Powers 1. FT: 12-15. Fouled out: None. Record: 18-8.<br><strong>Watertown Luther Prep (27-39 = 66)</strong><br>G. Nottling 11, L. Nottling 21, Meyer 5, Kieselhorst 6, Fitzsimmons 8, Frick 7, Schultz 5, Kurbis 3. Three-point field goals: G. Nottling 2, Fitzsimmons 2, L. Nottling 1, Meyer 1, Kurbis 1. FT: 21-26. Fouled out: Meyer. Record: 20-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->